pathetic


pathetic (http://definr.com/pathetic)

     adj 1: deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable
            victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as
            extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous
            appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a
            pitiful fate"; "couldn't rescue the poor fellow"; "his
            poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life" [syn: hapless,
             miserable, misfortunate, piteous, pitiable, pitiful,
             poor, wretched]
     2: inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were
        pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful
        exhibition of cowardice" [syn: pitiable, pitiful]
     3: inspiring scornful pity; "how silly an ardent and
        unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on
        in years"- Dashiell Hammett [syn: ridiculous, silly]